Beauty From Ashes

CPS: Because of God’s sovereign plan to advance his name to the ends of the earth, his people must continue to see and seek his plan no matter what.

Question: How do we see and seek His plan?

1. God’s plan is seen through persecution vs. 1-3

Saul approved of Stephen’s execution. This word approve can also mean to have pleasure.

It’s as if Saul was a Chic-fil-a worker, saying “My Pleasure as approved of Stephen death.”

“And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.

English Standard Version Chapter 22

And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”

As a result great persecution took place against the church in Jerusalem. Satan is at it again trying to STOP the advancement of Jesus name to the ends of the earth.

They were SCATTERED throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. This scattering would lead to the advancement of Jesus name . The scattering of the church fueled the advancement of the church.

Tertullian said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seedbed to the church.”

Nik Riken said, “The Insanity of God said, “Suffering is one of God’s ordained means for the growth of his church. He brought salvation to the world through Christ, our suffering Savior, and he now spreads salvation in the world through Christians as suffering saints. In the words of Paul, All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (). Clearly, there is a sense in which the danger of our lives increases in proportion to the depth of our relationship with Christ.”

There was pain as they lamentented over his death. These devout men buried Stephen. There was also prison time for the church as Saul continued to ravage the church going from house to house, dragging men and women and putting them in prison.

Nik Riken said, “Your fear is the greatest tool you will ever give to Satan. Overcoming your fear is your greatest tool against Satan.”

Just before they were burned at the stake at Oxford in 1555, Hugh Latimer famously said to Nicholas Ridley, “Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.”

2. God’s plan is seen through proclamation vs. 4-7

- vs. 4 Those who were scattered went about preaching the word “the good news the gospel the “euanngelion”

-vs. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria,

We are to “GO” down

Edward Welch said, “Jesus didn’t command the lost to go to church, he commanded the church to go to the lost.”

and “HERALD” A hearld was one that brings good news.

Will Metzger said, In our world probably 99.9 percent of all christians are not in the ministry. Unless everyone engages in evangelism- praying, initiating and fervently speaking the gospel not much will happen. New birth into God’s kingdom usually involves people as spiritual midwives. This i

vs. 6 says as the crowds with one accords paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him as saw the sings that he did. vs 7 many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. HOW ARE THEY GOING TO BE PHYSICALLY HEALED AND SPIRITUALLY HEALED IF WE DO NOT GO? We all are “GO” under the “mission of God” that is for God to make a name for himself” as missionaries.

Charles Spurgeon said, “Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter”

3. God’s plan is seen through praise vs. 8 -There was much joy in that city. The gospel is what is going to bring joy to bring joy to Samaria and it is what is going to bring joy to our city.

Because of God’s sovereign plan to advance his name to the of the earth, his people must continue to seek his plan no matter what.